The business of helping firms to become 'investment ready' has long been seen as vital to the long-term development of any economy, but the process of identifying and attracting the right kind of investor can be a difficult process for many small- and medium-sized businesses. Venture Capital Funding gives you a detailed, step-by-step guide to obtaining venture capital - from building a management team, through to the maze of due diligence procedures and necessary legal procedures. The practicalities of competing for, and winning, additional capital are broken down into key areas, such as: - the significance of the business plan; - types of investor - targeting and attracting a funder; - negotiation and initial valuations; - the due diligence process; and - the available investment vehicles. It also explores the many reasons why companies seek out additional funding, and discusses the points in the business life cycle when such injections are appropriate.